Schools With Ultrasound Tech Programs Bixby OK - Become an Ultrasound Technician

How to Find the Right Ultrasound Tech Training Program near Bixby Oklahoma

Bixby OK ultrasound technician with patient Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Bixby OK, the next step is to begin the process of choosing a college. To begin with, you need to find the right program that will furnish the proper education to become a qualified professional. And because a number of states do require that ultrasound techs be either licensed or certified, depending on where you will practice you may also need preparation to pass a licensing or certification exam. So it’s very important that you investigate each school so that you can assess and compare your options. But exactly where does one start? Many potential students will begin by searching for colleges that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost need to be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are additional critical factors as well. For example, if the ultrasound technician schools have earned accreditation or if they offer internship programs. These and other qualifications will be addressed more in detail later in this post. But first, let’s review what an ultrasound tech does and the credentials and online education programs that are offered.

Ultrasound Technician Job Description

Bixby OK sonographer testing pregnant woman There are various acceptable titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same basic job function, which is to implement diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. Even though many practice as generalists there are specialties within the profession, for example in pediatrics and cardiology. The majority practice in Bixby OK clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily work functions of a sonogram technician can involve:

Keeping records of patient medical histories and specifics of each procedure
Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
Readying the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and re-calibrating them
Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
Using equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
Assessing results and determining necessity for further testing

Sonographers must routinely assess the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to sustain that level of professionalism and remain up to date with medical knowledge, they are required to complete continuing education courses on a regular basis.

Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered

Bixby OK ultrasound tech testing pregnant woman Ultrasound tech students have the option to acquire either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will normally take about 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and class load. A Bachelor’s Degree will require more time at as long as four years to finalize. Another alternative for individuals who have previously received a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a related medical field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. One thing to consider is that most sonographer programs do have a clinical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It often may be fulfilled by entering into an internship program which numerous schools organize through Bixby OK hospitals and clinics. Once you have graduated from any of the degree or certificate programs, you will then need to comply with the certification or licensing prerequisites in Oklahoma or whatever state you choose to practice in.

Ultrasound Tech Online Programs

woman attending online sonography school in Bixby OK As previously mentioned, nearly all sonogram tech schools have a clinical component to their programs. So although you can receive a degree or certificate online, a significant part of the training will be either carried out in an on-campus lab or at a sponsored off campus facility. Clinical training can often be satisfied by means of an internship at a local Bixby OK hospital, outpatient clinic or family practice. But the rest of the classes and training can be accessed online in your Bixby home. This is especially convenient for those students that continue working while getting their degrees. In addition online colleges are many times more affordable than traditional options. Costs for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But just as with any sonography school you are considering, check that the online school you choose is accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is particularly significant for certification, licensing and finding employment (more on accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn outside of the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Ultrasound Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Bixby OK ultrasound tech schools As soon as you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of assessing and comparing ultrasound technician colleges. You will first probably want to choose whether you will access classes online or travel to a school campus in the Bixby OK area. Clearly location will be significant if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition no doubt will be an initial qualifier also. But there are other variables that you should also take into consideration, such as if the schools are accredited and if they sponsor internships. Therefore in order to carry out your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are some questions that you need ask each sonography school prior to making a decision.

Are the Sonogram Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of ultrasound technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through an extensive examination of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Bixby OK employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the sonogram technician schools you are evaluating have relationships with Bixby OK clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Bixby health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the sonographer schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Oklahoma healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Bixby OK residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the sonogram tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the ultrasound tech program you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Bixby OK area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Enrolling in an Ultrasound Tech Program near Bixby OK?

If you are considering a Sonography Tech School near Bixby Oklahoma, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new school campus.

Bixby, Oklahoma

Bixby is a city in Tulsa and Wagoner counties in the U.S. state of Oklahoma, and is a suburb of Tulsa. The population was 13,336 at the 2000 census and 20,884 in the 2010 census, an increase of 56.6 percent[3] In 2010, Bixby became the 19th largest city in Oklahoma. It is nicknamed "The Garden Spot of Oklahoma" for its rich agrarian heritage. Though one of the fastest growing communities in Oklahoma, it remains a sod-growing center and a popular location for purchasing fresh vegetables. The per capita income of $36,257 is the highest in the Tulsa Metropolitan area and is more than 50 percent higher than the state average.[4] In 2009, CNN Money.com placed Bixby No. 67 on its list of 100 Best Places to Live.[5]

Alexander Posey, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) nation, and his family settled in the area now known as Bixby in the late 1800s. He founded a community that was initially known as "Posey on Posey Creek," and included two saloons, a blacksmith shop and a general store. The town became a government town site with a post office in 1895. Located in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Indian Territory, Bixby was named in honor of Tams Bixby, a chairman of the Dawes Commission.[6] The original 80-acre (32 ha) town site plat was approved by the Dawes Commission in 1902. Many settlers were attracted to the area by the rich, though sometimes swampy river bottom land. In 1904 the Midland Valley Railroad laid tracks and built a depot about 1/2 mile north of the original town of Bixby.[7] This created factions that briefly split Bixby into two towns. The new part of town was deliberately surveyed so that the new streets did not align with the existing ones. However, businesses in the original town soon moved to the new location and built permanent brick buildings there. Bixby incorporated as an independent, self-governing town in 1906, with a population of 400 and an area of 160 acres (0.25 sq mi).[6] The first mayor, recorder and five aldermen were elected in February, 1907. In 1911, a two-story brick schoolhouse was built on Main Street. Bixby Central Elementary is now near the original site. A traffic bridge was built over the Arkansas River in 1911, and for a time was said to be the longest bridge west of the Mississippi River.

Bixby was impacted and enriched by the discovery of nearby natural gas deposits in 1905-1906 and oil fields in 1913, but farming remained the backbone of the community well into the 20th Century.[6] Early farmers focused on production of cotton, wheat and alfalfa in the rich river bottom. During the 1930s, truck farming of vegetables slowly replaced those crops. In 1941 Bixby became an important regional center for shipping produce by railroad. It was at that time that Bixby was christened with its nickname "The Garden Spot of Oklahoma," a designation still carried on the town seal and public vehicles. Cantaloupes, potatoes, radishes, squash, turnips, spinach and sweet corn were shipped from Bixby all over the U.S. In time, the majority of the truck farms were converted to the production of sod, typically Bermuda grass, or developed for residential and other purposes. Only a small percentage of Bixby residents now work in agriculture, but the town continues to celebrate its earthy roots with the yearly "Green Corn Festival" in June.

Another point of history commemorated by Bixby is the 1832 visit to the area by the famous American writer Washington Irving. Irving accompanied a U.S. Army exploration party on an excursion from Fort Gibson west onto the prairie and the lands occupied by the Osage and Pawnee tribes. He described his adventure in his book A Tour on the Prairies (1835). In it, he relates camping in a grove of large trees on the banks of the Arkansas River in what is present day Bixby. The town has honored his visit by the creation of Washington Irving Park and Arboretum near the location. The park contains an amphitheatre stage patterned after the front facade of Irving's home, Sunnyside, in Tarrytown, New York, as well as gates near the park entrance that are replicas of ones at Irving's estate. A bronze statue of Washington Irving sits near the stage. Bixby Middle School drama students present a popular retelling of Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in the park each October. The park is also the location of the heavily attended "Bixby BBQ & Music Festival" each May and the Bixby "Deutschesfest" in September.

Find the Right Schools With Ultrasound Tech Programs Bixby OK

Enrolling in the right ultrasound tech certificate or degree program is an important first step to commencing a gratifying new career providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer colleges require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. Apart from satisfying academic requirements, you must be in at least reasonably good physical health, able to stand for lengthy durations and able to routinely lift weights of 50 pounds or more, as is it often necessary to position patients and move heavy machinery. Other desirable skills include technical aptitude, the ability to remain collected when confronted by an angry or anxious patient and the ability to converse in a clear and compassionate manner. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Schools With Ultrasound Tech Programs. However, as we have covered in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at. This is the case whether you enroll in an online degree or commute to the college campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can compare each school, you can narrow down your options until you are left with the ideal school for your education. And with the proper training, dedication and determination to succeed, you can accomplish your objective to work as an ultrasound tech in Bixby OK.